Re: [Reaction]
[Wasn't going to correct the misused idiom. Has grown up in an area of New York where most residents didn't speak English as their native language. Was accustomed to incorrect idioms. Was accustomed to the pride of non-English speakers. Didn't know if Aiden's original tongue was English or not, but respected the mistake and would have left it alone. Then, Aiden corrected, and Atticus smiled slightly. Lazy smile, and he glanced at the ring on Aiden's hand.] Are more patient than I am, at least when it comes to learning something. [Atticus was a voracious learner. Entertaining, maybe, in a man that was such a lazy slouch otherwise.] Ever feel like taking it off, I have a friend who works with antiques. Could at least date it for us.
Lone wolf, I guess. [Was even more the case now that Cisco was gone. Hadn't been approached by whoever was running the pack now. PJ was gone. Didn't know any other wolves personally. Didn't seem bothered by it. If he was bothered by it, Atticus didn't even realize it himself.] Assume pack are. Don't know. Did this, in part, to help a friend who wasn't part of the pack. Was alone and her wolf was sad. Gone now. She moved. [Lifted a shoulder carelessly, because shit happened in life and there was no point in being upset about it.] Guess you could say they're my pack. Think they're each other's pack more than they're mine. Shared history. [The last two words were tacked on as explanation. Steve and Janus were soldiers together. Atticus wasn't part of that dynamic.] Have always been a lone wolf, even before I was a wolf. [Nodded at the ' Homo homini lupus.' Was true.]
Only know I don't want to walk the earth once I die. [Didn't mind that Aiden didn't have answers for him. Would give him more excuses to read and seek knowledge. Was the best way to spend time, at least to Atticus' thinking.] Glad thinking freely suits me. Would be doomed to unattractiveness otherwise. [Gave Aiden a smirky type of grin. Liked his company. Wasn't afraid to admit it.] Like talking to you. Steve is a talker, but he's been preoccupied for months, since his best friend left. Janus, Janus and I never talk well. [Understatement. Leaned further back in his chair, as if he was settling in for a longer talk, but the phone in his pocket rang, and he shifted a hip to pull it from his pocket and answer.
Made a handful of agreeing sounds, then stood and pocketed the phone again.] Been to Vade? I curate there. Books that people can get lost in. Might like it. Have to go. Someone's stuck in a novel about ShÅgun Japan. [Nodded toward the computer.] Stay, if you like. [Began to move out from behind the desk, but stopped. Turned and looked at Aiden earnestly.] Would like it if you weren't a stranger. Know you're busy, but enjoyed our talk.